Failed.

adamsmom · Sep 19, 2007

Unfortunatly I have no advise, but I know exactly how you feel. I failed a test last semester and quit. But then my academic advisor along with many fellow classmates talked me into staying. I to studied every possible time I could and I thought I knew the stuff. It is devistating when you tried your hardest and still was not good enough. I am in my 3rd semester and I got a bad evaluation for clinical and I feel horrible, I feel like throwing in the towel but I have only 9 months left.

So sorry I do not know anything that will make you feel better. THe only thing we can both do is move on and don't look back.

Good luck

dorselm · Sep 19, 2007

The sad part is that you failed. The good part is that this is your first, not your last test so you still have time to get it together. Here is what I suggest:

1. Sit down and go over your schedule and see how much time you are putting into studying. Be honest and see what issues you are having, i.e. are you watching too much tv, partying too much, kid issues, hubby/boyfriend issues, family issues, work issues?

2. Get a monthly planner and schedule your study time like you would schedule your class. Don't go for long stretches every night. Studying longer does not equal studying harder. Once you get your studying time established, stick to it like you stick to school. That is your time! Go to the library, or get some cheesecake or coffee and study at Barnes and Nobles or Starbucks (just find a quiet place away from normal distractions)

3. When you are studying, try to retain the information, not memorize it. I know we are learning an awful lot but you can't just rely on index cards to get you through. As you re-write your notes, think about each concept: visualize what respiratory distress feels like and looks like. Picture a person diagnosed with diabetes having the shakes and tremors and having slurred speech because their blood sugar dropped below 70 due to being hypglycemic. Don't just write these facts on a piece of paper and say them over and over.

4. Get with your instructor ASAP. Your instructor is good, he/she may be able to help you figure out where you went wrong and what you can do better on the next test. That's what they're there for.

If you don't understand something, post your questions out here. There are so many nurses out here who are very helpful and knowlegeable. Also check out some of the websites that are listed out here. There's one on how to construct a crossword puzzle out of your notes. I use this alot when I'm studying. I'm the type of person who has to do something with the information I'm given. I can't just read it or hear it. I have to turn my work into fun to understand it.

I hope any of these suggestions have helped you. Please let me know how you do on your next test.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2007

I've never been in your situation but I have helped other that have.

What I usually suggest is maybe trying a different way of studying, sometimes that helps tremondously. If you normally just study from your notes, maybe try making flash cards, or tape the lecture and listen to it every time you get a chance like the drive into school and back from school, during exercising if you do that, taking a shower/bath etc..it all helps.

You could be overstudying and bogging your brain down with info that really isn't needed. Don't try to remember every single word of the chapter, you'll never do it. Try making sure you can answer the objectives that are in the beginning of the chapters (most books have a list of things you should be able to answer when you finish reading the chapter). Reading the chapter a couple of times before the lecture helps alot, you have some idea of what the teacher is talking about and things that might have been unclear when you read it will make much more sense when you hear the teacher talk about it.

Have you tried study groups with other students? If you haven't give it a shot it works great for some. If you have been studying with others give it a try on your own, see if you notice a difference.

I have changed my way of studying since I started nursing school. I studied totally different when I took college courses.

Lastly, wanted to tell you to pick yourself and dust yourself off. You didn't do well on one test/quiz..you can turn it around easily and bring that grade up. Don't let that failed quiz dictate your future performance on tests!! You can do this. Best of luck.

dorselm · Sep 19, 2007

Oops hypglycemic=hypoglycemic

I also meant to say "If your instructors are good........

The website for the crossword puzzlemaker is:

http://galahad.armoredpenguin.com/crossword/

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2007

You ALWAYS review the wrong answers you got on a quiz or test to figure out why you got them wrong. Determine if you just didn't know the material or your thinking went wrong somewhere so you don't make the same mistakes on the next test. I didn't see you say that you had done that.

kasia2 · Sep 20, 2007

I can relate cause I just failed the second exam out of three. I'm talking about an extreme failing, like getting F or D, I still can't believe, I was doing fine, I had 90% in first quiz, 90& in first exam, and then third exam was so difficult that it suprised me greatly. I'm not sure if I will pass my class at this point, even if I get 100% on the test...